Word: And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

Thought: We memorized the Lord’s prayer when we were young and continue to say it often, but many a times we do not mean it when we say – this is part of it which is very important when we pray. Before we start to pray every time or at least at the end of the day, let us forgive the people who have done wrong to us knowingly or unknowingly. Remember, the forgiveness is not from the mouth but from the heart. How many times when we pray that we are not able to pray for some people or hypocritically pray – the Lord sees our heart and we rather not pray than to pray with a grudge in the heart. All of us sin and we need forgiveness from the Lord, but if we are not able to forgive the small mistakes done by people around us, how much ever good deeds we do, the Lord will not forgive us. We, who receive mercy from the Lord which is countless, need to merciful and forgiving others, else the Lord will not forgive us – this has been clear on Jesus’ teachings and explain through the parable of the Unforgiving servant. Let us forgive before asking forgiveness to the Lord and reconcile with others before praying to the Lord.

Quote: “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” ― C.S. Lewis

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me forgive others, the way you forgive us. Let all the pride in my heart be thrown away that I am able to look at people the way you look at them that I will be able to forgive them the way you forgive them and receive your mercy. Amen.